Unsettled weather to continue over the weekend

A STORM uprooted trees, damaged the power supply and endangered the lives of two fishermen in the Pyrgos Tylliras area on the northwest coast on Thursday night.

Fierce winds resulted in road closure in the area, and a power cut lasting several hours after numerous trees were uprooted. One tree ten metres tall fell on a house in the village.

Two fishermen who tried to approach the harbour on their boat once the storm started were forced to abandon their vessel and swim to shore instead in the rough waters. The boat hit the rocks and was destroyed.

According to reports the head of Kato Pyrgos community council, Costas Michaelides said officials from the Forestry Department rushed to remove the uprooted trees and worked with technicians from the Electricity Authority of Cyprus to repair the damage caused by the power supply.

The weather changed suddenly over the last two days, from a heat wave to rain and storms islandwide. There were 15 cases of power failures in the Nicosia area on Thursday including Pallouriotissa, Lakatamia Aglandjia and Ayios Andreas.

The spokeswoman for the fire services Lisa Kemitzi said they had had no calls for help.

According to the Met office, the weather will continue to show signs of potential thunderstorms and rain over the weekend but people should expect clear skies by Monday.